Review Date
April 29, 2008

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 5 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: Major813 ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
I just got back to Florida after riding Tsali. First thing is that not all trails are open every day of the week. On day 1 (Saturday) I rode Thompson and Mouse. Thompson was my most favorite of the two. Not technical at all but you need lots of stamina because these climbs are serious ! I rode Mouse 2nd because that was the suggested route. Mouse was not that good of a trail becuase it felt like I was climbing the entire time. Now I will say this the Last 3/4 of a mile is some fast downhill where I caught some serious air, but I felt there was way too much work for little reward total distance was about 16 miles.
Day 2 consited of Left and Right Loop. Left loop was great. it was pretty fast single track. A little more technical than the other trails. This trail takes you all around Lake Fontanna and the view was breathtaking. I really enjoyed it because I was averageing about 15 mph. After I rode into the Right Loop and traveled to the Overlook....Dude...that must have been the most grueling climb that i have ever encountered, but once you get to the Overlook its all worth it. Then the Trail rolls into the right loop. Right Loop consists of some great DH runs that are very exciting. Due to rain we had to exit thru right loop from the merge of the two trails and headed thru some beautiful single track app 7 miles to the trail head. Again not too technical. Total Distance was app 22 miles.
All in all I give the Trail 4 out of 5 stars. Not too technical but the scenery makes up for those grueling climbs. There is something very peaceful about the trail that I loved. Maybe it was being close to nature.

Recommended Route:
Saturday Thompson and Mouse app 16 miles....Sunday Left Loop and Right Loop.

Review Date
December 27, 2007

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Reviewed by: cms0415 ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
Living in the mountains as a guide i was riding the trails here at least 4 -5 times a week. These are some the best well maintained single track anywhere. Perfect for beginners to advanced riders. Stop by the NOC and pick up a map or get the free one from the trailhead. Left loop is the most technical of the trails. Some spots got a little sketchy and quite loose without any rain. Many of the spots on Left loop that are usually muddy no matter the weather finally dried up this summer. The rock garden on left loop with a long drop to the lake is the sketchiest part, if you're not confident walk it! The ride up to the overlook is totally worth the long climb! The descent down is awesome, but don't miss the switchback or its a nice flight to the lake! There is another long descent which you can really open it up on, nice and long not too steep! Overall any of the trails are worth riding. Be sure to check the sign about which are open to bikes. I recommend staying a couple days and riding all the trails. And if you paddle, the nantahala river is 20 minutes away, a perfect multi element weekend!

Recommended Route:
Right and left loop combined, starting with left loop and merging onto right at about 9 miles for a total of 17 miles. Also mouse loop to the overlook (backward) then back out, total is about 10 miles and almost entirely singletrack. I think combing mouse and thompson would make a good ride as well, but got stung by yellow jacket 4 miles in so just finished mouse.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Flint Ridge, Shell Stand Creek, Fontana

Review Date
November 16, 2007

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 2 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a year

Reviewed by: Maintainer ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
As Nov 4, 2007 all of the trail at Tsali were cleared of trees, and the trails were in good shape. Anyone finding trail problems please post them on this trail review so that the USFS will know about them. Be exact as to location, ie. mileage mark, and type.

Recommended Route:
Follow the direction signs.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Flint Ridge at the NOC and the trails at Fontana Village.

Review Date
March 14, 2007

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: jsgolfer ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
The trails at Tsali are tons of fun. While there are a lot of downed trees due to the Pine Beetle Epedemic its still a hell of a ride. My favorites were 1. Thompson Loop 2. Left Loop 3. Right Loop 4. Mouse Branch (i wouldnt ride this one again)

These trails arent the most technical but the climbing can still be challenging. Its amazing how the terrain and soil can change from one side of the mountain to the other. Some areas looked as if they never dried while others looked like they hadnt seen rain in years. Also, the speed of some of the downhills will leave you with a permagrin for hours!

Recommended Route:
Ride all the loops although mouse branch isnt nearly as fun as the other. However, the view from the top of Mouse Branch isnt bad. If i could ride Thompson loop everday of my life I think id be a happy guy. Look out for a pseudo log roll on Thompson though, its not a log roll at all, if found out the hard way and busted my arse!

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Flint Ridge, Fontana Village

Review Date
December 21, 2006

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 2 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: Ace_Brown43 ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
Well, I used to ride it once a year (or more), but it has been 5 years since my last visit. Like the previous rider I was dissapointed in the trail condition. Deep nasty mud holes everywhere, lots of erroded hills and many downed trees. I rode the right and left loops combined, my favorite ride. Started in sunshine and 44 degees and finished in snow and 40 degrees. BTW, I do know when a trail should not be ridden and this was not the case as the trail was totally dry except in the low areas that look like they never dry out. It looked to me, a very experienced trail builder, that it would be very simple to drain all those holes. Seems to me that the NOC and others who make money off this trail from MTB rentals ought to be out there doing some trail maintenance. I rode at Tsali the first time in 1993 and was sorry to see how it has degraded over time.

Recommended Route:
I like to do Right and Left combined and Mouse/Thompson combined but do not like to do Mouse CCW as it is (was?) signed. Why climb singletrack and descend on a fire road?

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Only rode at DuPont and liked it several years ago. Someday I will do Pisgah.

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